Display hanger

ABSTRACT

A display hanger comprises a mounting structure and a hanger rail. The mounting structure is configured to be secured to an item of merchandise and includes a clamping member. The hanger rail is pivotably attached to the mounting structure, and wherein the clamping member clamps the hanger rail in an orientation for supporting the merchandise.

BACKGROUND

The marketing of merchandise in retail establishments is frequently performed by suspending the merchandise or the packaging therefore from a horizontally-oriented display hook that extends outwardly away from a shelf. Such display hooks include, for example, a simple wire rod hook, which may have a slightly turned up distal end, and a wire loop hook, which is formed by a pair of laterally spaced arms whose forward end portions are integrally joined by a substantially U-shaped nose.

To suspend the merchandise or the packaging from one of the display hooks noted above, an end of the display hook is passed through an appropriately sized aperture in each piece of the merchandise or its packaging. As successive numbers of the merchandise or packaging are slid onto the display hook, a supply of the retail merchandise is presented for convenient viewing and selection by a retail consumer.

If, however, the merchandise or its packaging fails to include an aperture suitable for receiving one of the display hooks, a display hanger may be affixed to each item of merchandise to remedy the problem. With the display hanger secured to the item of merchandise, the end of the display hook is passed through the display hanger. Again, as successive numbers of the merchandise employing the display hanger are slid onto the display hook, a supply of the retail merchandise is presented for convenient viewing and selection by a retail consumer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present application, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a display hanger in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the display hanger of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the display hanger of FIG. 1 coupled to packaging for retail merchandise;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the display hanger of FIG. 1 coupled to packaging for retail merchandise of FIG. 3 and in an unsecured position;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the display hanger of FIG. 1 coupled to packaging for retail merchandise of FIG. 3 and in a secured position; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the display hanger of FIG. 1 supporting the packaging and the retail merchandise from a display hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a display hanger 10 is illustrated. Display hanger 10 is operably coupled to an item of retail merchandise, which as used herein may include the packaging therefore. Display hanger 10 is moveable between positions to either support the item of merchandise or permit the item of merchandise to be conveniently packed, stored, or transported. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, display hanger 10 comprises a mounting structure 12 and a hanger rail 14.

Mounting structure 12 is generally used to secure display hanger 10 to an item of retail merchandise. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, mounting structure 12 includes a back plate 16 terminating in a top 18, a bottom 20, and a pair of sides 22. Top 18 and bottom 20 are generally transverse with, and spaced apart by, sides 22. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, back plate 16 of mounting structure 12 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from either a rear surface 24 or a forward surface 26. While rear surface 24 (substantially visible in FIG. 1) has projecting features, which will be more fully explained below, opposing forward surface 26 is generally planar or flat.

A thickness 28 of back plate 16, which is generally measured between rear surface 24 and forward surface 26, may vary depending on a number of aspects. For example, thickness 28 of back plate 16 may depend upon the material used to construct back plate 16, the desired characteristics of mounting structure 12 (e.g., strength, flexibility, etc.), the overall cost of material of mounting structure 12, and the like. Thickness 28 of back plate 16 may be constant over an entire horizontal length 30, measured from one side 22 to an opposing side 22, and over an entire vertical height 32, measured from top 18 to bottom 20, or may vary at and between these extremes.

In some embodiments, back plate 16 of mounting structure 12 may have a different overall shape than that shown in FIG. 1. For example, when viewed from either rear surface 24 or forward surface 26, back plate 16 of mounting structure 12 may resemble a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a square or a variety of other regular or irregular geometric shapes. Indeed, the particular shape of back plate 16 may be modified or altered as desired to accommodate the item of merchandise, the packaging of item of merchandise, the fabrication of mounting structure 12, and the like.

Still referring to FIG. 1, mounting structure 12 includes a clamping member 34 for retaining hanger rail 14 in a fixed and/or secured position. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, clamping member 34 is shown in the form of a pair of horizontally spaced-apart clamps 36 projecting away from rear surface 24. It should be understood that a greater or fewer quantity of clamps 36 may be used. An enlarged view of a single one of clamps 36 is highlighted in FIG. 2, which illustrates a cut-away portion of mounting structure 12 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, clamp 36 includes a pair of resilient clamp arms 38. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, clamp arms 38 are disposed on either side of a rectangular slot 40 formed during manufacturing. Clamp arms 38 collectively form a clamping channel 42 having an open end 44. Open end 44 is generally directed away from rear surface 24 of mounting structure 12.

As shown, a size of open end 44 formed between clamp arms 38 is reduced in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 by a pair of inwardly-facing barbs 46. As will be more fully explained below, barbs 46 are employed to releasably hold and/or restrain hanger rail 14 in a desired position. In other embodiments, structures other than the inwardly-facing barbs 46 may be employed such as, for example, detents or protuberances having a rounded profile. Also, clamping arms 38 may be entirely free of projecting structures and may clamp and hold hanger rail 14 in a desired position due to their resilient nature and resulting compressive force.

Referring to FIG. 1, mounting structure 12 also includes a retaining structure 48 for rotatably coupling hanger rail 14 thereto. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, retaining structure 48 is shown in the form of a pair of horizontally spaced-apart sleeves 50 projecting away from rear surface 24. As shown, sleeves 50 are disposed inwardly of the clamps 36 and fashioned from generally hollow members. As shown in FIG. 3, sleeves 50 include a central passage 52 forming an insertion opening 54.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, each insertion opening 54 faces outwardly away from a central portion of the back plate 16. Central passage 52, and in particular insertion opening 54, are sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of hanger rail 14. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, central passageways 52 within sleeves 50 are transverse to sides 22 and run parallel to the top 18 and bottom 20 of mounting structure 12. As will be more fully explained below, this orientation enables hanger rail 14 to freely pivot about sleeves 50 of mounting structure 12. However, it should be understood that other types of structures and/or methods may be used to rotatably and/or pivotally couple hanger rail 14 to mounting structure 12 such as, but not limited to, a spherical ball joint, a hinge element, and the like.

Sleeves 50 may take a variety of suitable forms. In particular, sleeves 50 may be fashioned from generally rectangular members, structures having a semi-circular profile, projections resembling a hemisphere, and the like. Likewise, sleeves 50 need not be outfitted with a passageway extending entirely therethrough as illustrated in FIG. 1. Indeed, sleeves 50 may include a single opening at one end as opposed to a full passageway progressing all the way through sleeve 50.

Back plate 16, clamps 36, and sleeves 50 of mounting structure 12 may be constructed from a variety of suitable materials such as, for example, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Back plate 16, clamps 36, and sleeves 50 of mounting structure 12 may be unitarily formed from a single piece of material or constructed from a collection of separate and distinct components secured together. In the latter case, the components (e.g., back plate 16, clamps 36, and/or sleeves 50) may be secured together through a process of ultrasonic bonding, by a welding procedure, using an adhesive, and the like, depending on the materials chosen for the components. In some embodiments, the entire mounting structure 12 may be unitarily formed from a single piece of plastic.

As shown in FIG. 3, mounting structure 12 also includes a pair of attachment apertures 56 extending between rear surface 24 and forward surface 26. Attachment apertures 56 may be used to facilitate attachment of mounting structure 12 to an item of merchandise or to packaging 58 therefore (FIG. 3). In that regard, attachment apertures 56 are sized and dimensioned to receive, for example, a screw, a rivet, a threaded nut to be secured by a bolt, and the like. By passing, for example, a rivet through attachment apertures 56 and a corresponding aperture formed in packaging 58 of the merchandise and then flattening the terminal ends of the rivet, mounting structure 12 may be secured to the packaging of the merchandise. In FIG. 1, two apertures 56 are illustrated for use in attaching mounting structure 12 to corresponding packaging 58 and/or merchandise. However, it should be understood that a greater or fewer quantity of apertures 56 may be used. Further, it should be understood that base place 12 may be otherwise secured to packaging and/or merchandise (e.g., using adhesive, tape, etc.).

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, hanger rail 14 is formed from a continuous length of wire 60. Wire 60 is generally round in cross section and formed from a material such as, for example, stainless steel. Wire 60 may also be formed from other materials. The diameter of wire 60 is generally constant over the length thereof, but may vary if desired. The diameter of wire 60 may be increased or decreased depending on, for example, the load to be supported by wire 60, the desired flexibility of wire 60, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, hanger rail 14 includes several distinct portions identifiable as a top portion 62, a pair of side portions 64, and a pair of spaced-apart bottom end portions 66. Top portion 62 and bottom portion 66 are spaced apart by, and transverse to, the side portions 64. Therefore, hanger rail 14 has a generally square profile. Even so, hanger rail 14 may have a variety of other suitable profiles and/or may be formed from a variety of different materials. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, top portion 62 includes a detent 68 projecting outwardly away from bottom wire ends 66. Detent 68 is medially located along top portion 62 to balance packaging 58 or merchandise. Detent 68 is generally configured to engage with a conventional merchandise display hook 70 (FIG. 5). While a single detent 68 is formed in top portion 62, a plurality of detents 68 may be employed to suitably engage with a variety of other types of display members (e.g., a double wire display hook).

To construct display hanger 10 of FIG. 1 and at the same time secure display hanger 10 to packaging 58 of the merchandise, rear surface 24 of mounting structure 12 may be coated with a suitable amount of adhesive. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, clamps 36 and sleeves 50 of mounting structure 12 are aligned with the corresponding apertures 72 in packaging 58. Clamps 36 and sleeves 50 are then inserted through apertures 72 in packaging 58 until rear surface 24 of mounting structure 12, which is carrying the adhesive, engages and abuts an interior or other surface of packaging 58. After the adhesive is allowed to dry, cure or otherwise harden, mounting structure 12 is firmly supported by packaging 58.

With sleeves 50 projecting from packaging 58, bottom end portions 66 of hanger rail 14 are biased away from each other and aligned with insertion openings 54 in sleeves 50. Once aligned, the biasing force acting upon the bottom end portions 66 is released and bottom end portions 66 spring inwardly toward each other and into insertion openings 54 in sleeves 50. In this configuration, hanger rail 14 is securely supported by mounting structure 12 and suspended from sleeves 50. In this arrangement, hanger rail 14 is generally able to freely pivot about sleeves 50 of mounting structure 12. Should hanger rail 14 need to be disengaged from mounting structure 12 for any reason, bottom end portions 66 need only be drawn away from each other and out of insertion openings 54 in the sleeves 50.

In operation, hanger rail 14 is generally moveable between one or more unsecured positions 74 as shown in FIG. 4A and a secured position 80 as shown in FIG. 4B. Depending on the orientation of packaging 58, hanger rail 14 may be laying against exterior surface 76 of packaging 58 when in the unsecured position 74. In the unsecured position 74, hanger rail 14 is generally able to freely pivot about sleeves 50 of mounting structure 12. In some embodiments, hanger rail 14 is positionable below a top periphery 78 of packaging 58 when in at least one unsecured position 74. Therefore, display hanger 10, in some positions, does not increase the profile of packaging 58 and/or the merchandise. Indeed, enabling hanger rail 14 to be positioned at various locations relative to packaging 58 facilitates storing, packaging and/or transporting of packaging 58 and/or merchandise.

To transition hanger rail 14 from an unsecured position 74 to secured position 80 of FIG. 4A, a generally upward and/or outward force is applied to hanger rail 14 in an amount sufficient to pivot hanger rail 14 about sleeves 50. Pivotal movement of hanger rail 14 enables side portions 64 of hanger rail 14 to approach clamps 36 projecting from back plate 16 of mounting structure 12. In addition, top portion 62 begins to extend beyond top periphery 78 of packaging 58. When hanger rail 14 has been rotated such that side portions 64 are aligned with clamps 36, side portions 64 are forcibly inserted into clamps 36 and engage inwardly-facing barbs 46 on clamp arms 38. For example, clamp arms 38 are pried apart by hanger rail 14 until open end 44 of clamps 36 is large enough to receive side portions 64 of hanger rail 14. With open end 44 in this enlarged condition, side portions 64 of hanger rail 14 slide over inwardly-facing barbs 46 and enter clamping channel 42 formed between clamp arms 38. Once hanger rail 14 is within clamping channel 42, clamp arms 38 resiliently spring inwardly to secure hanger rail 14 in place. When held by clamps 36 in this fashion, hanger rail 14 is secured in position 80. As shown, in secured position 80 hanger rail 14 extends in one direction (e.g., horizontally) where pivotably secured by mounting structure 12 and in another direction (e.g., vertically) where clamped by clamps 36. As collectively illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, hanger rail 14 pivots about the sleeves 50 approximately one hundred eighty degrees. However, different shapes or types of sleeves 50 and/or hanger rail 14 enable a greater or lesser amount or angular pivotal movement.

In secured position 80, a portion of side portions 64 and top portion 62 of hanger rail 14 are situated vertically above top periphery 78 of packaging 58. With top portion 62 in this position, detent 68 is free to receive display hook 70 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, hanger rail 14 of display hanger 10 is in an orientation suitable for supporting the merchandise disposed within packaging 58.

If the merchandise needs to be removed or taken off display and stored, packaged, or transported, a force is applied to top portion 62 or side portion 64 of hanger rail 14 in a direction generally away from exterior surface 76 of packaging 58 or the merchandise. When a sufficient amount of the force is applied, the clamping force exerted by clamps 36 holding hanger rail 14 in secured position 80 is overcome. When this occurs, hanger rail 14 is again permitted to freely pivot about sleeves 50. Therefore, packaging 58 and/or the merchandise may be conveniently stored, packaged, or transported without interference from a hanger rail projecting beyond top periphery 78 of packaging 58 or the top of the merchandise if display hanger 10 is affixed directly thereto.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will recognize that display hanger 10, which is operably coupled to an item of retail merchandise and/or the packaging therefore, is moveable between various positions to either support the item of merchandise or permit the item of merchandise to be conveniently packed, stored, or transported. 

1. A display hanger, comprising: a mounting structure configured to be secured to an item of merchandise, the mounting structure including a clamping member; and a hanger rail pivotally attached to the mounting structure, and wherein the clamping member clamps the hanger rail in an orientation for supporting the merchandise.
 2. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the hanger rail is pivotably attached to the mounting structure by a pair of spaced apart sleeves.
 3. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the clamping member comprises at least one clamp forming a channel having an open end for receiving a portion of the hanger rail.
 4. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure includes a sleeve having an insertion opening configured to receive a portion of the hanger rail.
 5. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the hanger rail is pivotally moveable about approximately one hundred eighty degrees relative to the mounting structure.
 6. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the hanger rail includes a top portion and bottom end portions, the top portion and the bottom end portions transverse with and spaced apart by side portions.
 7. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the hanger rail is positionable against a rear surface of packaging supporting the item of merchandise.
 8. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure includes an attachment aperture for securing the mounting structure to the item of merchandise.
 9. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the hanger rail comprises a medially located detent for balancing the merchandise when supported from a display hook.
 10. A display hanger, comprising: a mounting structure configured to be secured to an item of merchandise, the mounting structure including a sleeve and a clamp, the sleeve having an insertion opening; and a hanger rail having a portion thereof inserted in the insertion opening such that the hanger rail is pivotably attached to the mounting structure, and wherein the clamp secures the hanger rail in an orientation suitable for supporting the item of merchandise.
 11. The display hanger of claim 10, wherein the hanger rail is pivotable about the sleeve about approximately one hundred eighty degrees.
 12. The display hanger of claim 10, wherein the hanger rail includes a detent located medially along a top portion thereof.
 13. The display hanger of claim 10, wherein the hanger rail is locatable within a peripheral boundary of the item of merchandise in at least one position.
 14. The display hanger of claim 10, wherein the hanger rail projects beyond a periphery of the item of merchandise when secured by the clamp.
 15. The display hanger of claim 10, wherein a back plate of the mounting structure is secured to one side of packaging supporting the item of merchandise and the hanger rail is disposed on another side of the packaging.
 16. The display hanger of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the mounting structure extends through packaging supporting the item of merchandise.
 17. A method of configuring an item of merchandise for display, comprising: inserting a portion of a mounting structure through packaging configured to support the item of merchandise; and pivotally coupling a hanger rail to the portion of the mounting structure inserted through the packaging.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein inserting the portion of the a mounting structure through the packing comprises inserting a sleeve and a clamp through the packaging.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein pivotally coupling the hanger rail to the mounting structure comprises inserting a portion of the hanger rail into a sleeve of the mounting structure.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising adhering the mounting structure to the packaging using an adhesive. 